Exciting News from Starkville: Local Teacher Joins State Advisory Council

Exciting News from Starkville: Local Teacher Joins State Advisory Council

Starkville, Mississippi, is buzzing with a wave of excitement following the announcement that Erica Johnson, an English teacher at Starkville High School, has been selected by the Mississippi Department of Education to be part of the 2024-2025 Mississippi Teacher Advisory Council. This council plays a crucial role in lending a voice to educators across the state, providing direct input to the State Superintendent of Education about the needs and issues facing Mississippi schools.

A Passion for Education

Ms. Johnson, who applied for this prestigious opportunity back in August, expressed her genuine love for both Mississippi and education. She recognizes the limitations of her influence within her classroom and aims to be an advocate for both students and teachers on a broader scale. She emphasized the need for collaboration in making meaningful changes in education.

A Well-Deserved Selection

Since joining the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District in 2017, Ms. Johnson has made her mark as a dedicated educator. Starting as a midyear 6th-grade reading teacher at Armstrong, she soon transitioned to Starkville High School, where she has worked with 9th and 10th grade students ever since. Currently, she teaches dual credit/dual enrollment English Comp I and II, providing her students with a taste of college-level coursework while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements.

Notably, Ms. Johnson is a National Board Certified Teacher and serves as an English Lead Teacher, supporting the entire English Language Arts (ELA) department at her school. Her extensive experience equips her with unique insights that she now hopes to share on a state level.

Listening to Teachers

For Ms. Johnson, being a part of the Mississippi Teacher Advisory Council means having the chance to expose real classroom issues to decision-makers. She believes that teachers, who work with students daily, have invaluable insight into what works and what doesn’t in education. Listening to teachers provides insight into what works and what doesn’t and treats teachers as valued professionals who are experts in the field.

The Joy of Teaching

Now in her seventh year of teaching, Ms. Johnson continues to find motivation in witnessing her students’ growth. She enjoys getting to know students and seeing their ‘aha’ moments firsthand. There’s nothing quite like seeing a student who has been struggling finally grasp a concept. She fondly recalls her first class of seniors, emphasizing the strong connections she formed with those young adults, many of whom she still keeps in touch with today.

Advice for New Teachers

As she embarks on this new journey, Ms. Johnson is also eager to share advice for newer educators. She suggests being consistent, fair, and firm, and being open to learning from your students. “Each day will be a brand new adventure; if you’re consistent and open to learning new things, it will be one of the greatest and most rewarding adventures you’ll ever go on.”

A Bright Future for Education

With the Mississippi Teacher Advisory Council meetings set to begin this month, Erica Johnson is excited to take her wealth of experience and expertise to the state level. Her commitment to improving education in Mississippi serves as an inspiration for fellow educators.